Family:  Stacy (my high school sweetheart since 1983), “my guys” – Fleet (20), who is studying International Finance at IU, Robby (17), who loves snowboarding and playing drums, and Bradley (15) who loves playing golf and biking.

Education:  B. A. in Biblical Studies & Psychology (Grace College), M.Div. in Pastoral Ministries (Grace Theological Seminary), Th.M. in Church History (Trinity Evangelical Divinity School), PhD studies in Religious History (University of Stirling – Scotland). 

Biggest influences:  John Calvin (d. 1563), Rev. Bill Goode (d. 1997), Douglas Sweeney (professor of history at TEDS), John Piper, and my wife. 

Music in my car/on my iPod:  Mat Redman, Jack Johnson, Third Day, Matt Kearney, James Taylor, John Mayer, Five for Fighting (prefer Classical Baroque when studying)

Favorite word:  My favorite word right now is “Procrustean”  (I have new favorite words every week)

Least favorite word:   can’t

Sound/noise I love:  rain in the woods, ocean waves on a beach, golf ball “sticking” a green

Sound/noise I hate:   phone ringing

Favorite movies:  Braveheart, Gladiator, Lord of the Rings (all three), The “Bourne” Trilogy, and Pale Rider (imagine being a preacher who could shoot a gun like that)

Favorite book(s):  Screwtape Letters (C. S. Lewis), Desiring God (John Piper), The Next Christendom (Philip Jenkins), New Kind of Christian (Brian MacLaren – even though I disagree with much of his stuff), Institutes (John Calvin)

Spare time:  Golf, reading, writing, traveling, time with family, a good movie

Best invention:  British ale

Another profession I’d like to try:  professional baseball player for the Houston Astros (would prefer playing second base and I would like to bring back the flashy orange uniforms)

 A profession I never want to try:  actuary

Passion(s):  helping people discover a life that is “fully alive” in God, for their joy and God’s glory

Biggest frustration(s):  People who “sit in the stands” and criticize the “players on the field.”  (Sorry, but I only care about the opinion of people who have mud on their uniforms.)

When I get to Heaven, I’d like to hear God say:   There’s a Calvary Church reunion just up the road.  Listen for the loud music and it will take you there – It’s a big party and they have been waiting to hang out with you forever.  

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